I have a logo… now what?

So, you’ve launched a business and you’ve got the ball rolling. You picked a business name, have an idea of your product and/or service and (maybe the biggest deal of all, at least for us design geeks), you officially have a logo.

Congrats! Getting a (super awesome) logo is a major milestone on the path of being a business owner or entrepreneur.

As you see your sleek, colorful, well-designed logo staring back at you from your computer screen, you’re probably filled with an awesome sense of pride. But you’re probably also experiencing a mild form of WTF in the form of “I have a new logo… Awesome, but what exactly am I supposed to do with it?”

Never fear, 99designs is here to help you fill in the blanks of what to do with your logo after the design process. Because having an awesome logo is great, but it’s what you do with it that’s going to make a real impact of your business.

Get the right logo files
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Let’s talk about what it actually means to have a logo. Because having a designer create something awesome and then send you a JPEG file just isn’t going to cut it.

When you get a logo designed, you need to ask your designer for multiple versions and formats of the design. You’ll need different types of files for different things in your business. For example, you’ll need a different file to give to a print company that’s manufacturing your corporate swag than you will for your web developer who wants to put it in your website header. And trust me, the last thing you want is to miss out on a project or deadline because you didn’t have the right logo format.

If you have a graphic logo, you might also want to consider asking for a version designed without the text.

Getting all the files and formats you need from the get-go will save you a ton of time, energy and headaches down the road; by requesting all the files up front, you’ll always be sure to have exactly what you need for however you decide to use your logo.

What to do with your logo
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Now that you’ve got all the files and formats you need, let’s talk about where you can make use of your awesome new logo.

Consider your logo to be the face of your business. It’s the first thing that you want your audience to know about you, and you want them to see it over and over again until the logo becomes synonymous with you and your products or services.

Or, in other words: the more you use your logo, the more your audience will start to recognize it.

Let’s look at some places you’ll want to be sure to showcase your logo.

Digital

The first place you’ll want to showcase your fancy new logo is on the interwebz. Because (let’s be real) in 2017, most people are going to be interacting with your brand in the digital space.

Website

Even the big boys like Coca-Cola make sure their logo is front and center on their website. Via Coca-Cola

Include your logo in the header, and if it works with your overall design, consider asking your web designer to create a sticky header. Even as your audience scrolls down your website, your logo will follow them wherever they go.

Coca-Cola once again showcasing the logo not once, but twice on their Facebook page. Via Coca-Cola.

Social Media

People spend a ridiculous amount of time on social media (the average smartphone user visits the Facebook app or website over 13 times a day), so you want to be sure that every time they’re scrolling through their feed, they get a glimpse of your logo.

App

If your brand has an app, use your logo in the app icon. That way, your audience will literally see your logo every time they look at their phone.

Print

You’re also going to want to slap your logo on all of your printed materials.

Business cards

Business cards are usually the first take-away that a potential client, customer, colleague has of you and your business.

Marketing brochures

Marketing brochures are a great way to get more information about your company into the hands of your audience.

By including a logo on the front and in the corners of every page, you’re getting them familiar with your branding as well.

Moral of the story: whatever you have printed should feature your logo. Print materials are a way to get your brand literally into the hands of your ideal customer. Make sure you’re maximizing the branding opportunity that print offers by showing off your awesome logo.

Swag

Where the swag bags at? Now, obviously this won’t apply to everyone, but depending on your business model, promotional items can be a fantastic way to build brand recognition and loyalty (and who doesn’t love free stuff?).

You can throw your logo on just about anything you think your audience would dig as a gift: pens, coffee mugs, race bags, t-shirts, stickers, phone cases. If you can think it, you can probably brand it.

Insider tip: if you want to save money, buy in bulk. With custom swag sites like Zazzle, Discount Mugs, and CustomInk, the price typically goes down the more items you order. And more money saved equals more money to spend on awesome logo-branded swag.

Decals

Get a large decal of your logo printed for the lobby of your office. Or get one printed for your car: free advertising as you zip around town!

Throw your logo on the wall to make a big impact in your office. Via StickerYou.

Banners

Pull up banners are great for larger events or expos and really capture people’s attention.

Need some collateral designed?

99designs does way more than just logos!

The author

Deanna deBara is a freelance writer at 99designs. When she's not furiously typing away at her laptop and geeking out on all things design related, you'll likely find her geeking out on all things Harry Potter, finding her Zen through meditation or training for her next ill-advised athletic endeavor.

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Any comments?

I just completed a logo and brand identity pack contest. It would be great if that pack included an email signature design given how important it is.
I think that an email signature should be on the short list of how to get the brand identity out there once you have decided on one. As we are starting out, more people will see our logo in email correspondence than they will on business cards.